I have 15 years of experience teaching introductory composition at the college level. I received my Bachelor of Arts in English from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, before going on to earn master's and doctoral degrees in English Language and Linguistics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. After graduating, I began teaching composition and linguistics in the English department at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Although I enjoy being in the classroom, my favorite part of teaching has always been working individually with students to help identify their strengths, goals, and areas of interest. I want to help students understand the reasons behind the writing skills they're asked to practice - not just "how," but "why." This includes reinforcing the habit of critically assessing the audience, purpose, and context of any written text. In my spare time, I enjoy writing, making music, traveling, and camping.